Birth control packaging error leads to lawsuit

Story highlights

Women file a lawsuit after birth control pills were incorrectly packaged

The pills were voluntarily recalled in September 2011

More than 100 women seek millions in damages to cover pain, suffering and child-rearing expenses

Court documents suggest the women took the pills as directed, but they failed to prevent pregnancies because of a packaging error. The package was rotated 180 degrees, reversing the orientation of the pills — meaning that women took placebo pills when they should have been taking active pills.

Ninety-four women who took the pills gave birth after unexpected pregnancies and 17 others did not carry their pregnancies to term, according to an attorney for the women. Two others who are part of the lawsuit were not pregnant, the attorney said.

According to the lawsuit filed in the Court of Common Pleas of Philadelphia on November 5, more than 100 women from 28 states who took the pills are seeking millions in damages to compensate for their pain, suffering, lost wages and child-rearing expenses. In Oregon, state law specifies that child-rearing expenses include the cost of the child’s college.

Court documents filed in April suggest that the company distributed a “dangerous” and “defective” product, but the recall notice posted on the FDA website said the packaging issue didn’t “pose any immediate health risks.”

A spokeswoman for Endo Pharmaceuticals said the company is aware of the complaint, but does not comment on pending or ongoing litigation. In a statement, she noted there is no new or recent product recall, and emphasized that “patient safety is our top priority.”

The recall was based on “an extremely small number of pill packs that were manufactured by an external contract manufacturer,” spokeswoman Heather Zoumas-Lubeski said. “Endo has been able to confirm only one blister pack that manifested a defect and was sold to a patient.” Court documents said 3.2 million pill packs were recalled.

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